The equipment, to be supplied by Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine business unit, will include a complete networked system that ties together all of the ship’s navigation sensors and steering controls into an integrated bridge system (IBS) running on electronic nautical charts.
The new 2,181gt patrol vessel, based on the “Jura” which was delivered earlier this year, will have a length overall of 84m, a moulded beam of 13m, a depth to main deck of 8.2m, and a maximum draught of 5.5m. It is being built at the Remontowa Shipyard in Poland for delivery in 2007.
The ship’s diesel electric, variable pitch propulsion system will provide a top speed of 18 knots, a cruising speed of 12 knots, and an endurance of 30 days on patrol. the power plant will comprise three Wartsila 9GL20 diesel gen sets, each rated at 1,620kW, and supplying power to two 2,000kW Rolls-Royce electric motors driving 3.6m diameter propellers.
Sperry’s supply
Sperry Marine has supplied the IBS units for all SFPA newbuilds since 2003, including the Minna- and Jura-class vessels.
The scope of supply to the latest vessel, based on Sperry Marine’s proprietary Voyage Management System software, includes BridgeMaster E navigation radars, a fibre optic gyrocompass, adaptive autopilot, Doppler speed log, differential GPS, automatic identification system and an electronic chart display and information system, as well as the ship’s radio and satellite communication systems.
To carry out its many duties, the vessel will be equipped with two 7.5m RIBs, each with a crew of four and capable of a top speed of 25 knots. The mother ship has been designed to provide a safe working platform in conditions up to Beaufort Force 6, Seas State 5 to 6.
The SFPA is responsible for monitoring the fishing industry’s compliance with U.K., European and international fisheries laws and regulations in the seas around Scotland and in Scottish ports. The agency embarked on a major replacement programme for its fleet of inshore and offshore patrol vessels in 2003.
